Poultry Hatcheries and Hatching Egg Supply Farms

All poultry hatcheries engaged in the production of day old chicks, turkey poults or ducklings for the production of table birds or the replacement of laying flocks must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Only hatching eggs obtained in accordance with a permit issued by the Department may be incubated at a licensed poultry hatchery. All breeding stock at supply farms must be obtained from approved breeding sources and are subject to inspection and blood-testing to ensure freedom from serious poultry disease.

All poultry hatcheries and supply farms involved in EU trade in live poultry and hatching eggs require approval from the Department. Each consignment for export must be inspected and accompanied by the relevant health certificate.